Pancreatic cystogastrostomy by combined upper endoscopy and percutaneous transgastric instrumentation

Minimally invasive endoscopic and radiologic techniques have been reported for internal gastric drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts but these have significant technical limitations. A purely endoscopic approach to cystogastrostomy provides limited access for instrumentation and hemostasis. Radiologically-guided percutaneous techniques cannot regularly provide an adequately wide cystogastrostomy opening. Reported is a patient who had a pancreatic cystogastrostomy performed using a minimally invasive surgical approach combining upper endoscopy and percutaneous transgastric surgical instrumentation. The upper endoscope essentially served as a camera. A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube served as a port for inserting laparoscopic instruments into the stomach. The laparoscopic instruments were used to create a 1.5 cm cystogastrostomy opening similar in size to what could be created by an open abdominal approach. The laparoscopy instruments provided good tactile feedback and excellent hemostatic control. Avoiding an open abdominal procedure shortened postoperative recovery and reduced patient discomfort. Although the pseudocyst recurred once, the same procedure was performed again and there has not been a recurrence for 10 months. The authors conclude that this minimally invasive surgical procedure provides an excellent alternative approach for internal drainage of selected pancreatic pseudocysts.